The University of Utah’s Division of Games is fueling billions in creative and economic output—helping position Salt Lake City among America’s most dynamic gaming hubs.
The Division of Games at the University of Utah is doing more than shaping the future of interactive media—it’s driving measurable economic growth across the state and the nation. Alumni, faculty, and research innovations have seeded studios, startups, and technologies that collectively account for billions of dollars in commercial impact. This influence positions the Division as an engine of prosperity, converting creativity, technical training, and research excellence into high-value jobs, investment, and sustained innovation.
“Utah Games isn’t just making great games—it’s making an impact on how and where games are made.”
— Michael Young, Chair, Division of Games
National Spotlight: CNBC’s Cities of Success
Salt Lake City’s momentum recently drew national attention when CNBC’s Cities of Success series spotlighted the University of Utah’s video game program as a cornerstone of the region’s rise in creative and tech economies. The feature—summarized by the University’s research office—frames the Division as a key catalyst for Utah’s evolving identity as a creative-technology hub. Read the feature on research.utah.edu.
The Global Context: A $187 Billion Industry
Worldwide, the video game industry continues to surge. In 2024, global revenues are projected to reach approximately USD 187.7 billion, while the U.S. market alone contributes over USD 100 billion in economic output and supports nearly 350,000 jobs. Over the past two decades, U.S. game revenues have multiplied nearly tenfold, powered by digital distribution, mobile platforms, cross-platform play, and live-service business models and outpacing film and recorded music in annual revenue.
Division Alumni: A Billion-Dollar Legacy
Within this global landscape, Utah stands out—thanks to the Division’s pipeline of skilled creators and innovators. Division alumni have been credited on commercial games generating more than USD 2 billion in cumulative sales, with over USD 1 billion of that impact coming directly from studios based in Utah. These achievements reflect deep economic contribution—driving job creation, studio growth, and national competitiveness.
The Ripple Effect: Building Utah’s Creative Economy
- Job Creation — Graduates power Utah’s expanding ecosystem of studios, tool developers, and production houses.
- Entrepreneurship — Alumni-founded startups diversify and strengthen the state’s creative-tech economy.
- Research & Innovation — Faculty-industry collaborations advance new tools, engines, and methods.
- Public Revenue & Reinvestment — Successful studios and projects generate tax revenue that fuels further growth in education and infrastructure.
Turning Creativity into Capital
The story of the Division of Games is one of transformation, turning creativity into capital. What begins in classrooms and labs evolves into studios, startups, and billion-dollar titles. As the global games industry approaches the USD 190 billion mark, the Division exemplifies how a university program can power innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic impact on both state and national scales.